Among the original stipulations of the bequest were that the holder should be between 30 and 60 years old, and that he should be fined 21 shillings from his salary if any student at his lectures were not provided with copies of the Old and New Testaments, and a Pearson on the Creed.
On his death, he bequeathed a large proportion of his estate to found a prize essay, two scholarships, and the positions of 'Hulsean Lecturer' and 'Christian Advocate'.
The expertise of the incumbent is generally expected to include philosophical theology, although the post does not formally require this.
[citation needed] Then on 18 October 2006, the university announced the election of Sarah Coakley to the position.
Upon the retirement of Professor Coakley, the university conducted an international search that resulted in the appointment of Catherine Pickstock to the position in March 2018.